Should You Buy an Electric Vehicle in 2017?

There was a recent article in Jalopnik, an automobile blog, on why motorists should consider purchasing an electric vehicle. In it, the writer discussed how electric cars are cheaper than ever, and it is not out of the question to find a pre-owned vehicle for less than $10,000. This makes sense as leased cars from 2013 and 2014 are coming back to the dealership and being sold at a fraction of the price. In addition to that, you may be able to qualify for federal and state tax credits if you do decide to purchase an electric vehicle or hybrid. So, will 2017 be the year you decide to buy an electric vehicle? Here are a few reasons why you might want to say yes.

Fuel Efficiency: Did you know that conventional vehicles only get about 25% of their potential stored energy converted into actual energy? Electric vehicles get up to three times as much as this. If you are concerned about your overall carbon footprint and/or your ongoing cost to fuel your ride, electric is probably the way to go.

You’ll Save a Ton on Maintenance Costs: In addition to electric cars getting cheaper, motorists will be happy to know that they can save big on repairs. You don’t need to change the oil. You don’t need to worry about replacing the fuel pump or other high-cost repairs. The only thing you may have to replace in an electric vehicle is the battery, which can be expensive, but they do last a very long time.

Cool Designs: Today’s electric vehicles incorporate stylish designs and really do look great. Many are compact, making them perfect for city driving. However, SUV and larger sedan models are beginning to come out as well for those with families and larger hauls that also want to reduce their carbon footprint and/or save on fuel.

If you are thinking about buying an electric vehicle, 2017 may be the time to do it. While the Jalopnik article references wholesale prices as low as $4,500 for electric vehicles such as the Fiat 500e, without a dealer’s license to get them at that rate, you will be paying the marked-up price of closer to $10K or $11K which is still a bargain given if the miles are low and it is in good condition. Remember, that the vehicles referenced are coming off a lease in which the previous owners are usually more careful with since they know they must return it in good condition to avoid extra fees. eTags recently posted an article on the best alternative energy vehicles if you’re unsure of which vehicle is right for you from the regular consumer market. It might be worth checking out to learn more about the amazing new and used electric vehicles that are coming to the dealer’s lot in 2017 and beyond.